COMMUNITY DRIVEN CHANGE

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

Homelessness is something that happens to people in our community, not something that defines them- simply put, homelessness is when someone does not have a permanent place to live. They could be living on the street, in a shelter, or another place not meant for people to live such as a car, under a bridge, behind a building, or one of the many other places people are forced to live when they don’t have anywhere to call home.

In addition to those who are on the street or in shelters, there are thousands of people in our community who live without a stable home, meaning they live in week-to-week motels, doubled up with friends or families, or in other precarious and unpredictable living situations.

HOW MANY PEOPLE
ARE HOMELESS IN
OUR COMMUNITY?

On a given night in 2017, 1,924 persons experienced homelessness in Tarrant and
Parker Counties. Throughout the year in 2016, approximately 7,400 people
accessed homeless services of some sort.

WHO EXPERIENCES HOMELESSNESS?

766

1149

410

282

159

HOMELESSNESS BY LOCATION

2018

Fort Worth

89%

Arlington

10%

NE Tarrant County

.6%

Parker County

.4%

WHY DO PEOPLE
BECOME HOMELESS?

People experience homelessness for a variety of reasons, with the primary reason being that they cannot find housing
they can afford. In 2017, people reported their top reasons for homelessness as:

Unemployment

Inability to pay rent

Physical/mental disabilities (men)

Divorce/separation (women)

The National Low-Income Housing Coalition estimates that minimum wage workers in Tarrant County must work more
than 75 hours per week to afford fair market rent.

HOW DO WE SOLVE
HOMELESSNESS?

Ultimately the solution for homelessness is a place to call home for those who do not currently have one. To end
homelessness, our community, and our nation, must create an adequate supply of housing that is affordable to lower
income households. In Tarrant County, there are only 19 affordable units for every 100 low-income households. Any
way you slice it, the math simply does not add up for our community to find somewhere for everyone to live. Until the
affordable housing shortage is addressed, the homeless services system must help people quickly return to housing,
connect to employment, and receive needed services and support.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

You’ve taken the first step by learning more about homelessness in our community. TCHC works with over 40 partner agencies who are addressing homelessness every day. Here are a few ways you can help people who are experiencing homelessness and the agencies who are serving them:

Educate yourself and other about homelessness in our community

Dispel myths about homelessness

When you encounter a homeless person, treat them as a person. Make eye contact, say hello, treat them as you would like someone to treat you

Invite TCHC to speak at a community group or meeting you’re involved with

Speak out against NIMBY (Not In My BackYard)

Be a champion for second chances

Give your time and talent by volunteering with TCHC or one of our partners